Pre Victorian painted portrait brooch

The 1770s in fashion were notable for extreme hairstyles and wigs which were built up very high, and often incorporated decorative objects (sometimes symbolic, as in the case of the famous engraving depicting a lady wearing a large ship in her hair with masts and sails—called the "Coiffure à l'Indépendance ou le Triomphe de la liberté"—to celebrate naval victory in the American war of independence). These coiffures were parodied in several famous satirical caricatures of the period.

By the 1780s, elaborate hats replaced the former elaborate hairstyles. Mob caps and other "country" styles were worn indoors. Flat, broad-brimmed and low-crowned straw "shepherdess" hats tied on with ribbons were worn with the new rustic styles.

Hair was powdered into the early 1780s, but the new country fashion required natural colored hair, often dressed simply in a mass of curls.

Marie Antoinette was one of the most influential figures in fashion during the 1770s and 1780s, especially when it came to hairstyles.

Brooches are frequently decorated with enamel or with gemstones and may be solely for ornament (as in the stomacher) or sometimes serve a practical function as a fastening, perhaps for a cloak. (From: Wikipedia)

Antique jewelry object group: brooches

Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of French or Belgian origin.

Style: Pre-Victorian
(more info on styles)

Period: ca. 1780
(events and facts in 1780)

Theme: We couldn't find out who the lady in the brooch is.

Material: 18K yellow gold
(more info on precious metals)

Technique: painted miniature on porcelain

Extra: The brooch has a long pin, not unusual for brooches made then. Not many people are aware of the fact that long pins on brooches are more secure then the modern closures. On this page you can see how to use a long pin and how secure it can be.

Precious stones: 32 halfseed pearls
(more info on precious stones)

Birthstones: Pearl is the birthstone (or month stone) for June.
(more info on birthstones)

Hallmarks: No trace.
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Condition: very good condition (slight traces of wear on the painting)
(more info on our condition scale)

Dimensions: 4,30 cm (1,69 inch) by 3,60 cm (1,42 inch)

Weight: 9.70 gram (6.24 dwt)

Reference Nº: 00172-3740

See also our:
pre victorian jewelry, victorian jewelry, victorian brooches, all brooches, jewelry with human face, jewelry with human motifs, painted,, jewelry with pearls, latest acquisitions,
antique jewelry, estate jewelry, vintage jewelry or modern jewelry

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